TomTom Finds Driving in Traffic is Hazardous to Your Health

According to independent research, drivers need to break free from
the physiological stress caused by traffic

May 24, 2011 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CONCORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It’s official: traffic is hazardous to your health. According to
independent research commissioned by TomTom, drivers, and men in
particular, seem to suffer a significant and unhealthy increase in
physiological stress when driving in traffic.

Independent tests1 – which measured physiological stress
markers in participants’ saliva – revealed that while women experienced
an 8.7% increase in stress from driving in traffic, men suffered a
significant 60% increase in stress. These statistics were in contrast to
how the participants perceived the situation. For instance, although 67%
of women and 50% of men reported they did they not ‘feel’ stressed after
driving in traffic for 20 minutes, the saliva tests confirm that they
actually were physiologically stressed. The research goes on to suggest
that the effects of long-term exposure to stress chemicals include
suppressed immune function, raised blood pressure and elevated blood
sugar levels.

“These findings make good evolutionary sense,” said David Moxon, the
health psychologist who led the research. “Men, in particular, show a
strong acute physiological ‘fight or flight’ response. The fact that
they are not always aware of this could indicate that driving regularly
in dense traffic could have a profound effect on their health.”

Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director, Consumer at TomTom believes the
research brings a critical issue to light. “Many drivers see traffic
congestion as a necessary evil. But this research proves that we have an
obligation to challenge this line of thinking,” said Vigreux. “As
announced in our Traffic Manifesto this May, we pledge to use our unique
technology and our driving community to reduce traffic congestion by 5%
for everyone.”

The research reveals there is a range of noticeable symptoms, although
drivers may not take notice of the effects. Physical symptoms include
dizziness, breathlessness, muscular aches and even chest pains, while
behavioral symptoms include agitation and erratic driving.

Additionally, a recent global driving survey of 10,000 drivers carried
out for TomTom2 revealed that 72% of people aged 18 to 64
drive on a daily basis – with 92% of people driving from home to work
and 80% commuting from home to school. With an estimated one billion
cars on our roads around the world, and it’s not surprising that 86% of
drivers say they feel negatively impacted by traffic.

To deal with traffic-induced stress, drivers have developed a number of
coping strategies. The survey reveals that 82% of drivers listen to
music, while 21% talk to other passengers in order to pass the time and
ease the tension. The survey also shows drivers around the world cope
with traffic differently. American (38%) and Swedish (39%) drivers tend
to talk on the phone to make better use of their time, while Dutch
drivers prefer to comfort eat (14%). The study also found that English
speakers in general, prefer to sing to themselves to reduce stress
(United States: 20%, United Kingdom: 19% and South Africa: 16%). For
some, it genuinely seems to work – the TomTom tests2 reveal
that two out of three women experience a reduction in driving-related
stress from singing. In the United States, specifically, respondents
hate traffic so much that American drivers would rather go to the
dentist (75%) or meet their in-laws for the first time (92%) than be
stuck in traffic.

As this research proves that traffic has an impact on drivers, and
society in general, TomTom is encouraging drivers to break free from
traffic with TomTom HD Traffic – available on its “LIVE” connected GPS
devices. TomTom HD Traffic provides the most accurate traffic solution
by reporting and capturing more actual traffic jams than ever before to
help drivers avoid delays. Only TomTom HD Traffic will recognize traffic
conditions for both major and secondary roads within the U.S. road
network to help re-route drivers clear of traffic.

Founded in 1991, TomTom (AEX: TOM2) is the world’s leading supplier of
location and navigation products and services focused on providing all
drivers with the world’s best navigation experience. Headquartered in
Amsterdam, TomTom has over 3,500 employees and sells its products in
more than 40 countries.